[jokker1978]

I'm looking for a benchtop router, I will later add another to the wing of my table saw. Probably the Jess em router lift.
What is a good benchtop router table. I have looked at the Bosch one. It seams like a good choice.
However I'm looking for feedback on other benchtop routers.
I would like to make some cabinet doors and maybe some molding.

 

[JOAT]

My vote is make your own.

 

[Stick486]

You could make one...

.

 

[jokker1978]

I could, but my free time isn't very free at the moment. If I had more free time I'd put it in my extension of my table saw.

 

[kp91]

While I am in the build your own camp as well, if you want to buy then look to Craigslist first.

I just did a search in the Northern VA area and there are some very nice ones (rockler table top with aluminum plate on a home made stand for $80) for reasonable money.

A top, insert plate and stand are going to run you $250 or more (grizzly, rockler, kreg, etc). If you just buy a top, you can set it on 2 sawhorses for a while and figure out what height works best for you.

My first router table was a sink cut out that I mounted the router base to directly, nothing fancy. As time went on and I figured out what I needed in a router table I built another, and then later I built the one I have now. You don't always know what you want in a table until you use it for a while. I still don't understand the need for a lift, but apparently I am in the minority.

 

[JOAT]

My first router table was a sink cut out that I mounted the router base to directly, nothing fancy. As time went on and I figured out what I needed in a router table I built another, and then later I built the one I have now. You don't always know what you want in a table until you use it for a while. I still don't understand the need for a lift, but apparently I am in the minority.

First one I ever used was a Craftsman, with router, that I borrowed from a neighbor. Worked, but not what I wanted, so made my own, with a plywood top. Then made another, then another. Not pretty, but it is just what I want and need, except for maybe a bit longer on the sides. Made router plates out of 1/2" plywood, that just lift off for bit changes or whatever. I don't see the need for a lift either. Been using it for 15 years or more.

 

[woodknots]

@jokker1978 - I agree with making your own. I have a Bosch 1617 router installed in a homemade table. The one I built in this link is based on the Oak Park router table - took me only a couple of hours. I used a Kreg insert plate and the Kreg levellers so all I needed to do was cut out the opening for the plate, and didn't have to create a rabbet, which is easily done - I just chose not to. The second link I provided is for the plans that I got for the table from Oak Park - I didn't bother making the base, just made the actual router table. I clamp the router table to another table and that suits me fine.
The third link is for a router fence that I also made and use all the time. The only cost I incurred was the price of the Kreg plate and levellers and some knobs for the fence.


https://www.routerforums.com/table-...ctures-your-router-table-107.html#post1713906

https://www.routerforums.com/table-...router-workshop-router-table.html#post2011589

https://www.routerforums.com/general-routing/137829-blue-hawk-router-table-parts.html#post2000065

 

[Herb Stoops]

First one I ever used was a Craftsman, with router, that I borrowed from a neighbor. Worked, but not what I wanted, so made my own, with a plywood top. Then made another, then another. Not pretty, but it is just what I want and need, except for maybe a bit longer on the sides. Made router plates out of 1/2" plywood, that just lift off for bit changes or whatever. I don't see the need for a lift either. Been using it for 15 years or more.

Did you return the router to your neighbor? The one I loaned out never came back and person who borrowed it couldn't remember borrowing it.
Just asking,
Herb

 

[tulowd]

I decided to buy and modify a Woodpecker table instead of making one. It's way nicer and accurate than anything you can make yourself, but the cost is idiotic. That's just how I roll, lol.

Eventually, this will be installed into a larger surface for cutting full sheet goods, but not before I rebuild the garage aka win a lottery. I didn't want a small surface, even tho mine is now a table top sitting on a 1" thick MDF plate on top of my industrial parts washer. Dust collection is threefold - above the table hood, fence mount and enclosed router box I made; all with blast gates to control air flow; my experience is they should all be open slightly to promote air flow, since the 2.5" piping is so restrictive. Also added a HF variable speed control for $20.

Being new to woodworking, I have spent a lot of time in the various stores, online and this forum, snooping around and getting the drift/hang of things. The various attachments, jigs and methodology is so wide ranging, that most things can be done several different ways with equally good results.

I will say, several used very nice Jessem and Kreg packages have appeared on Kijiji (Canada's Craigs List) here in Ontario for about half price from new. Few and far between, and you gotta have cash and jump on it.

Having used my table only a couple of times is a shame, but I can tell you it's a precision work of art and ought to last me a lifetime.

 

[DesertRatTom]

I bought a table myself, I was still working then and had more money than time. That's a nice table. To make doors, you want a pretty good sized table to support the parts. That Woodpecker stuff is expensive, but very nice.

 

[jokker1978]

Ended up getting a jessem rout r lift and installing it into my table saw

 

[Old_Tom]

Way to go Jokker! Nice one and does the job.

 

[DesertRatTom]

@jokker1978 Thanks for coming back and telling us what you decided to do. A very nice setup!

 

[Nickp]

When I needed a router table one day in an "emergency" I decided it wold take too long to dig out my Bosch table from under all the other stuff...

15 mins later I was routing after making one out of a 2x2 piece of plywood with a whole in the center. I screwed the router to the bottom and slapped a 2x4 with clamps for a fence.

So "build your own" doesn't need to be a major project...especially if you already have plans for something more permanent.